China stresses exploitation of shale gas, coalbed methane

China will seek breakthrough in exploitation of shale gas, coalbed methane and other unconventional energy sources as part of its efforts of tapping domestic energy supply, said a senior energy official on Sunday.

The National Energy Administration (NEA) is formulating policies to encourage the exploitation of the unconventional energies including shale gas and coalbed methane, said Tan Rongyao, an NEA official.

Tan did not elaborate at the press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

Shale gas production in recent years has seen leapfrog development since the country started to survey and explore the energy source in 2009.

Currently, 30 percent of the natural gas China consumes is imported.

Shale gas is an important unconventional source of natural gas. So far the reserves being invested in for exploration have hit 130 billion cubic meters in the country.